Wherever Sriracha factory moves, so will the odor: Letters

It’s interesting how a company deemed by the city of Irwindale as a nuisance because of its irritating smells is courted by Rep. Tony Cardenas to send its nuisance to the San Fernando Valley, all in the name of jobs. I guess the people who will endure the smell are too ignorant or poorly educated to fight their battles at future City Council meetings.

In a recent TV interview regarding the Sriracha story, Cardenas said he doesn’t care if Valley people complain about the odor, that it’s about jobs. Then why not talk to the Irwindale City Council and explain how it stands to lose a lot of future tax revenue by having the company move, and should just work with or ignore those few that are complaining? He’d have to do it once the company moves to the Valley.

It’s unfortunate Irwindale has caused David Tran to move, but it’s probably in his best interest to move out of state rather than listen to Cardenas give him the song and dance about moving to the San Fernando Valley. What makes Tran think the people in the Valley wouldn’t care about the smell or complain about irritated eyes? If it’s a nuisance in Irwindale, it’s probably a nuisance everywhere.

— Lew Arroyo, Moorpark

Ten Commandment give everyone a moral code

Re “Don’t give too much credit to the Ten Commandments” (Letters, April 23):

Just so we would really get it, the law that our creator wrote in our hearts to let us know we have transgressed is universal. Most religions and faith practices resonate that. And in China, effectively a communist dictatorship, it is no doubt true that murder, stealing, lying and other crime sare disallowed.

Could you say that Mao and Hitler weren’t listening to their “inner voice” when they had millions of people killed? It is no accident that the Ten Commandments are etched in stone in government buildings in Washington. They were designed to remind our leaders as well.

— Andrea Anderson, Eagle Rock

Rubin Carter’s jail time saved him from worse fate

Re “Boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter dies at 76” (April 20):

Although I’m glad he was justly freed after being wrongfully convicted for another’s crime, the Rubin Carter of the past was vicious, unpredictable and scary. He was a violent brute and advocated killing cops. He made his living as a savage mugger, which early on landed him in jail. He was vicious, angry and intimidated anyone he could. He was not a choir boy to feel sympathy for. It’s important to remember the grave injustice he suffered does not neutralize the fact he spread a reign of terror on those who crossed his path.

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Alas, he found himself in jail, however innocent of the charges, where he eventually found inner peace, philosophyand learning. The Hurricane turned into a gentle breeze. In what direction would his life have turned had he not gone to jail? The irony may be that it’s what saved him and countless others from a fate much worse. The mysteries that govern our destinies can never be discovered, but sometimes what we think is worse proves to be the best for everyone.

— Michael E. White, Burbank

U.S. should let Russians get in trouble in Ukraine

What’s the difference between arming the Ukranians against Russia and the Korean conflict and also Vietnam? Let the Russians lose their soldiers, like we did during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, because of the Russians supplying arms to both nations.